Local musician Jeff Hanson dies at 31

Sad news to report from over the weekend: St. Paul singer-songwriter Jeff Hanson was found dead in his apartment on Friday. He was 31. The Star Tribune reports that he "likely died from a fall or other accident at the concrete-floored apartment, which he had just moved into days earlier."

Hanson started rocking very young, as the frontman for Milwaukee-area teen-emo kids M.I.J., one of many bands inspired by the success of The Promise Ring. But Hanson really found his voice on his own, clearly inspired by Elliott Smith—another rocker who decided to follow a quieter muse. Hanson sent a tape of demos to Kill Rock Stars, which released three albums, including last year's Madam Owl.

Kill Rock Stars sent out the following statement on Saturday evening:

"We are deeply shocked and saddened to report that Kill Rock Stars artist Jeff Hanson passed away on June 5, 2009 in his home, a victim of a terrible accident. Jeff has been a part of the KRS family since 2003 when he became the first artist signed to the label from an unsolicited demo.

"Jeff Hanson was an amazing artist, a riotously funny person, and a good friend. Everyone at Kill Rock Stars feels that we were privileged to put out his records. We will miss him tremendously. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Here's a link to an interview Hanson did with Decider last year. In September, the A.V. Club reviewed Madam Owl, and gave it an A. We also interviewed him in 2005 shortly after the release of his second, self-titled album.

Hanson's "If Only I Knew," from Madam Owl:

Here's Hanson's "This Time It Will," from 2005's Jeff Hanson:

"The End Of Everything Known," live in Los Angeles in 2007: